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Fitz Roy

How best to visit Argentina obviously depends on how much time you have available to travel. Most visitors will arrive in Buenos Aires and begin their trip from there. It seems although many profess wanting to tour Argentina one of the first places they wish to visit is Torres del Paine National Park. There is no question that Torres del Paine is a spectacular park, but the fact is it is in Chile and not Argentina.

Though to fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate, in the heart of Argentine Patagonia, and overland from there, is geographically straight and shortest way to get to Torres del Paine, the transportation to the park is not exactly overabundant. There is public bus from El Calafate to Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas one can catch and hop off it at the park’s entry, and private transfers are available as well though not plentiful nor cheap.

Hanging glaciers in Torres del Paine

Without a doubt the best access to Torres del Paine is from Punta Arenas, the focal point of Chilean Patagonia. Of course this poses a bit of a dilemma if starting from Buenos Aires. To get to Punta Arenas can be done either by flight via Santiago de Chile or by going to Bariloche in the heart of Argentine Andes first and from there overland across the Andes Lakes District to Puerto Montt and fly to Punta Arenas from there.

If going to Punta Arenas via Santiago may seem like a cumbersome detour, then add a stop and break up the trip by visiting Mendoza first. Mendoza is an easy flight from Buenos Aires and on the way to Santiago. In Mendoza you can tour the best wineries of the region, sample local dishes, lodge at some wonderful hotels, and after three or four days continue on to Santiago.

Another alternative is to forget Torres del Paine altogether, tailor it into your itinerary on a future trip focusing on Chile only, and instead proceed from El Calafate to El Chalten, a base town for treks into the wilds of the incredible Cerro Torre and Mount Fitz Roy. If you may be on a limited time, from El Chalten you can head back to El Calafate and return to Buenos Aires from there. With two weeks to spare you can visit both Fitz Roy and Torres del Paine and you can even add Southern Patagonia, Argentina’s legendary Tierra del Fuego.

Following are the very best three options for experiencing Best of Argentina on 15-days, starting from Buenos Aires.

Option one is to fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate, overland to El Chaltén, then to Ushuaia and finish with Iguazu Falls. This Best of Argentina itinerary allows for tango in Buenos Aires, seeing the spectacular glaciers, hiking in Fitz Roy National Park, sailing the Beagle Channel, and in the end marvel at the impressive Iguazu Falls.

Another Best of Argentina itinerary on 15 days is a variation of the above with the inclusion of a visit to Mendoza, so in summary the itinerary packs in Tango, Wineries, Glaciers, Tierra del Fuego, Beagle Channel, and Iguazu Falls.

And one more Best of Argentina tour on 15 days can be designed to include Peninsula Valdes, in other words, Buenos Aires, Whales & Penguins, Glaciers, Ushuaia, and Iguazu Falls.

Some would argue I left out Salta and the northwest of Argentina but for logistical reasons best to leave that part for another trip.

Trekking in Torres del Paine

Lamanai is offering 50% off the Natural History Package price for the 2nd person! Offer is valid until 31st of October 2009.

The package includes:
• Accommodations in a Superior Garden View Cabana
• Meals (at the lodge)
• Standard Retour Combination Road/River Transfers Belize International to Lodge
• 2x – Standard Activities per night’s stay (3 N Pkg. = 6 activities over entire stay)
o Early Morning: Sunrise Canoeing ~ Jungle Dawn
o Morning: Lamanai Maya Ruins ~ Maya Jungle Medicine Walk
o Afternoon: Sunset Cocktail Cruise ~ Nature Walk
o After Dinner: Spotlight River Safari ~ Night Walk (with 4N Pkg)
• Use of canoes
• Taxes

“A La Carte”
Guests stay 3 nights and pay for 2 but the second person gets 50% off meals and activities!

Lamanai Lodge is situated on the banks of Lamania Lagoon and just yards from the famous Lamanai Archaeology Site. Access to the lodge is normally by a tranquil river boat ride where guests can enjoy viewing the local wildlife as they travel. The lodge has 18 cabanas of different categories and a restaurant and bar. The lodge operates and all inclusive system where guests can choose and sign up for the tours they wish to go on each day. Specialist bird watching tours are available. This is a great lodge for couples, families and small groups interested in nature and wildlife.

These offers are valid until 31st of October 2009.
Book / Inquire / Contact Us

Pooks Hill is a true jungle lodge situated at the foothills of the Maya Mountains in the Cayo District of Belize, bordering the Roaring River and Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. The lodge is situated within a 300 acre Private Reserve encompassing the site of an ancient Maya Plazeula Group. A mid range and rustic lodge it is a unique and comfortable place to stay for people looking for a real jungle lodge experience. Perfect for couples, families and small groups.
From the Lodge guests have options to various adventure and cultural tours.

30% off offer is valid when guests travel between the 15th of August till the 31st of October 2009.

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Departure:  28 May -  15 Nights / 16 Days

Day 01 : Arrive Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel. Evening Detail briefing on Kailash Manasarovar Yatra tour.                                         
Day 02 : Visit Pashupatinath and Boudhanath. PM Free for Kailash tour preparation. We obtain Tibet visa on this day.
Day 03 : Early morning drive from Kathmandu (4500 ft, 1371 mt) to frontier town of Nepal, Kodari.
Day 04 : Rest day at Nyalamu for acclimatization. 
Day 05 : Drive to the first high pass of Lalung La (16665 ft, 5050 mt). Stay at guesthouse. 
Day 06 : Drive to Saga. And drive for another 100 Kms, 62.5 miles and arrive Paryang . Stay at guesthouse. 
Day 07 : From Paryang drive to Mayum river (15280 ft, 4630 mt). Stay at guesthouse.
Day 08 : Puja, Homa, Tarpan etc. and drive to Darchen (15098 ft, 4575 mt), Stay at guesthouse.
Day 09 : Drive to Tarboche (15200 ft, 4606 mt) Camp at Dirapuk. Overnight in tent.
Day 10 : Climb through Guari Kunda Lake. Stay at tented camp.
Day 11 : A short trek will lead you to the pickup point from where you will continue by vehicle. Stay at tented camp.
Day 12 : Today you will drive from Manasarovar to Paryang. Stay at Guesthouse. 
Day 13 : Continue driving through the Tibetan countryside to Saga via Tsongpa. Stay at Guesthouse.
Day 14 : Drive to Nyalamu via Peigutso once again. Stay at Guesthouse.
Day 15 : Drive from Nyalamu to Kathmandu via Zhangmu. Stay at Hotel in Kathmandu .
Day 16 : Transfer to Kathmandu Airport for your departure flight to next destination.

Please email us for costs using the blog Contact form!